Clasp



J. SCHMIDT.

(No Model.)

CLASP.

No. 421,086. Patented Feb'. 11,1890.

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UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPHINE SCHMIDT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

C LAS P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 421,086, dated February11, 1890.

Application filed January Z, 1890. Serial No. 335,600. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosErHINE SCHMIDT, of the city and county ofPhiladelphia, an`d State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvementin Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to clasps for supporting garments, die.; andit consists of certain improvements, which are fully set forth in thefollowing speciiication and shown -in the accompanying drawings, whichform a part thereof.

My apparatus is so constructed that it will firmly clasp and hold thearticle to which it is applied without tearing or injuring it by theusual teeth or indented clamping-edges, and is so formed that anincrease in the tension or pulling of the free end of the clasp willtend to tighten the clamping-jaws upon the article between them.

My improved clasp is particularly suited for supporting womens stockingsfrom the bottom of the'corset of the wearer, because the clasp in no wayinjures the corset, and any tendency of the stocking to falldowntightens the jaws upon the corset and secures them more firmly thereto,pulling upon the free end of the clasp. It may, however, be applied to agreat variety of uses, such as holding` up sleeves, cuffs, the.

In the drawings, Figure l is an illustrative view showing my improvedclasp as applied to use in supporting stockings. Fig. 2 is a perspectiveview of the clasp, and Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the same.

A is the clasp.

B is a supporting-band, of elastic or other material, connected to theclasp A, as hereinafter described, to which the stocking C or otherarticle to be supported is attached. The stocking C may be held, ifdesired, by a clasp similar to my improved clasp A, or it may beattached to the band B byany convenient means.

D is the corset or other article to which the clasp A is applied. Theclasp is formed of two corresponding metal pieces E E, having theiredges bent over and pivoted together at c. These pieces E E are providedwith flanges or inwardly-projecting ends F F; forming the clamping-jaws,and having their outer or free ends I I curved or inclining inwardly toa slight degree, so as to approach each other at the rear end. (See Fig.3.) The two metal pieces E E are preferably formed of stamped sheetlnetal.

G is a link having an enlarged end or head H, preferably formed bybending or rolling over the link G. This enlarged end orhead H fitsbetween the inclined faces K of the ends I I, and is loosely heldbetween them and prevented from falling out laterally by means of thebentover side edges of the pieces F. E. The band B may be attached tothis link G in any convenient manner.

Material D to be clamped is placed between the flanged end's F F, whichI prefer to form with teeth or indentations to prevent tearing of thematerial, and when the link G is pulled or drawn rearwardly the enlargedend or head H is brought farther out between the curved or inclinedfaces K K of the ends I I, and forces these ends farther apart, thusremoving the clamping or gripping jaws F F closer together upon thematerial D, and the greater' the tension upon the link G the tighterwill these 'jaws be clamped. VIt is apparent that by pushing the link inso as to release the pressure of the enlarged head H against the faces KK the jaws F may be opened to release the material D.. -The parts of theclasp may be formed of stamped sheet metal and are inexpensive tomanufacture.

While I prefer the mere details of construction which are here shown, itis apparent that they may be modified without departing from the spiritof my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- A clasp consisting of two jaws pivotedtogether and having their rear ends inclined toward each other, and astrap-link having an enlarged head arranged between and directly incontact with the inner inclined faces of said rear ends, whereby whensaid strap-link is moved rearwardly the enlarged head presses directlyagainst the inclined faces of the rear ends of the jaws and forces themapart, thereby pressing the forward or clamping jaws together.

In testimony of which invention I hav hereunto set my hand.

e J OSEPHINE SCHMIDT.

Witnesses:

ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER, MAURICE H. HOLMES.

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